Are We Doomed by the Zoomers?

Gen Z. Hooked to screens. Isolated. Struggling socially. Unhappy. The Zoomers.

Recent reports indicate that they are more anxious and unhappier than previous generations (American Psychological Society). And, in the US, they are really dissatisfied with politics and pessimistic about democracy (Fast Company).

Well, let’s not let fall prey to negativity bias. (Any of us can get caught in the loop; read about it at the Decision Lab.)  Here’s my brief attempt to pull ya’ll out of that loop.

A recent article in The Economist titled Reasons to be cheerful about Generation Z, posed thoughtful and, yes, a bit unexpected, views on Gen Z. They are a more resourceful and globally-minded group than many give them credit for being.

Listen to T’Keyah Edwards (AS UNEXPECTED Ep3) talk about Gen Z. At Citi, she works with the incoming workforce and sees the promise of a generation that is socially aware and, on many big issues, unified. And, according to T’Keyah, they are “shifting the lens” to whole-person wellness.

Let’s go on. The digital-first gang generally drinks less alcohol (BBC). It ranks ‘meaningful work’ as a top reason for taking a job and the lack of flexibility as the top of reason to leave (McKinsey). Gen Z is more inclined than previous generations to take action on climate change and not accept the polarity of our political scene (Pew Research).

Hmmm. A more sober, socially aware, courageous generation striving for better work-life balance, demanding real action on climate change and calling for less bipartisanship? I’m listening!

It’s time that everyone does. They want to work for companies that authentically value them, others and the world they are set to inherit (see Edelman). They are wise to inauthentic influencer marketing (e.g., see Debasis Pradhan et al) and their idealism for social equity conveys to brand loyalty (Forbes)

Now, I’ll come clean. I have two Gen Zers at home. One is heading to college this fall. The other just finished 9th grade. No doubt, they are much more digitally native than this Gen Xer! 

They reflect their generation. Pragmatic, concerned, anti-polarization, unsure, solution-seeking. It's not that Jonathan Haidt is wrong; anxiety is real. He just missed so many details. I am a big believer in Gen Z. A bit of a mindset shift (listen to this episode, The Happiness Lab) and the Zoomers got it!

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